"One should never sleep with head
turned towards the north or the west"

"The man of wisdom should reside in
such a house as has been constructed
with the aid of a Brahmana and an
engineer skilled in his profession, if
indeed, O king, he desires his own good"
[Note: The Brahmana's aid is necessary
inselecting the ground, and setting the
longitudinal
and other directions of the house, as also in fixing
the day of commencing
the work of building.]
______________

That quarter towards which Surya the illuminator of the universe first riseth; where,
at eve, the Sadhyas engage in their ascetic austerities; where that Intelligence, which
pervades the whole universe first springeth; where the two eyes of Dharma, as well as he
himself, are stationed; where the ghee (clarified butter) first poured in sacrifice
subsequently flowed all around; the quarter, O best of all regenerate persons, is the gate
of Day and Time. There the daughters of Daksha, in primeval times, gave birth to their
children. There the sons of Kasyapa first multiplied. That quarter is the source of all
the prosperity of the gods, for it was there that Sakra was first anointed as the king of
the celestials. It was there, O regenerate Rishi, that both Indra and the gods underwent
their ascetic penances. It is for this, O Brahmana, that this quarter is called Purva (the
first). And because in the earliest of times this quarter was overspread by the Suras, it
is for this that it is called Purva. The gods, desirous of prosperity, performed all their
religious ceremonies here. It was here that the divine Creator of the universe first sang
the Vedas. It was here that the Gayatri was first preached by Surya unto the reciters of
that sacred hymn. It was here, O best of Brahmanas that the Yajurvedas were delivered by
Surya (unto Yajnavalkya). It was here that the Soma juice, sanctified by boons, was first
drunk in sacrifices by Suras. It was here that the Homa-fires, (gratified by Mantras),
first drank articles of cognate origin.

[Note: These articles of cognate origin are ghee (clarified butter), milk, and other
things used as libations in sacrifices.]

It was here that Varuna first repaired to the nether regions, and attained to all his
prosperity. It was here, O bull among the twice born, that the birth, growth and death of
the ancient Vasishtha took place. Here first grew the hundred different branches of Om.

[Note: i.e., the subdivisions of the Pranava (AUM or OM), the mysterious Mantra, which
is the beginning of everything, were first promulgated here. Nilakantha supposes this to
refer to the origin of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the various branches of the Srutis
and the Smritis.]

It was here that the smoke-eating Munis are the smoke of sacrificial fires. It was in
that region that myriads of boars and other animals were killed by Sakra and offered as
sacrificial portions unto the gods. It is here that the thousand-rayed sun, arising,
consumeth, out of fire, all those that are wicked and ungrateful among men and the Asuras.
This is the gate of the three worlds. This is the path of heaven and felicity. This
quarter is called Purva (east). We will go hither, if it pleaseth thee. I shall always do
what is agreeable to him who is my friend. Tell me. O Galava, if any other quarter
pleaseth thee, for we will then go there. Listen now to what I say of another quarter.

Garuda continued: In days of yore, Vivaswat, having performed a sacrifice, gave this
quarter away as a present (Dakshina) unto his preceptor. And it is for this that this
region is known by the name of Dakshina (south). It is here that the Pitris of the three
worlds have their habitation. And, O Brahmana, it is said that a class of celestials
subsisting upon smoke alone also live there. Those celestials also that go by the name of
Viswedevas always dwell in this region along with the Pitris. Worshipped in sacrifices in
all the worlds, they are equal sharers with the Pitris. This quarter is called the second
door of Yama. It is here that the periods allotted to men are calculated in Trutis and
Lavas [small divisions of time].

In this region always dwell the celestial Rishis, the Pitriloka Rishis, and the royal
Rishis, in great happiness. Here are religions and truth. It is here that the acts (of
persons) exhibit their fruits. This region, O best of the twice born, is the goal of the
acts of the dead. It is this region, O best of regenerate persons, whither all must
repair. And as creatures are all overwhelmed by darkness, they cannot, therefore, come
hither in bliss. Here, O bull among regenerate persons, are many thousands of malevolent
Rakshasas in order to be seen by the sinful. Here, O Brahmana, in the bowers on the breast
of Mandara and in the abodes of regenerate Rishis, the Gandharvas chant psalms, stealing
away both the heart and the intellect. It was here that Raivata (a Daitya), hearing the
Sama hymns sung in a sweet voice, retired to the woods, leaving his wife and friends and
kingdom.

In this region, O Brahmana, Manu and Yavakritas son together set a limit, which
Surya can never overstep. It was here that the illustrious descendant of Pulastya, Ravana,
the king of the Rakshasas, undergoing ascetic austerities, solicited (the boon of)
immortality from the gods. It was here that (the Asura) Vritra, in consequence of his
wicked conduct, incurred the enmity of Sakra. It is in this region of lives the diverse
forms all come and are then dissociated into their five (constituent) elements. It is in
this region, O Galava, that men of wicked deeds rot (in tortures). It is here that the
river Vaitarani flows filled with the bodies of persons condemned to hell. Arrived here,
persons attain to the extremes of happiness and misery. Reaching this region, the sun
droppeth sweet waters and thence proceeding again to the direction named after
(Vasishtha), once more droppeth dew. It was here that I once obtained (for food), a
prodigious elephant battling with an enormous tortoise.

It was here that the great sage Chakradhanu took his birth from Surya. That divine sage
afterwards came to be known by the name of Kapila, and it was by him that the (sixty
thousand) sons of Sagara were afflicted. It was here that a class of Brahmanas named
Sivas, fully mastering the Vedas, became crowned with (ascetic) success. Having studied
all the Vedas they at last attained eternal salvation. In this region is the city called
Bhogavati that is ruled by Vasuki, by the Naga Takshaka and also by Airavata. They that
have to journey hither (after death) encounter here a thick gloom. And so thick is that
gloom that it cannot be penetrated by either the Sun himself or by Agni. Worthy of worship
as thou art, even thou shalt have to pass this road. Tell me now, if thou wishest to
sojourn towards this direction. Else, listen to an account of the western direction.

Garuda said: This quarter is the favourite one of king Varuna, the ruler of the ocean.
Indeed, the lord of the waters had his origin here, and it is hither that sovereignty
lieth. And since it is here that towards the days end (paschat) the sun dismisseth
his rays that this quarter, O best of the twice-born ones, is called the Paschima (west).
For ruling over all aquatic creatures and for the protection of the water themselves,
illustrious and divine Kasyapa installed Varuna here (as the king of this region).
Quaffing all the six juices of Varuna, the moon, the dispeller of darkness, becometh young
again in the beginning of the fortnight. It was in this quarter, O Brahmana, that the
Daityas were routed and bound fast by the wind-god. And afflicted by a mighty tempest, and
breathing hard (as they fled), they at last laid themselves down in this region to sleep
(the sleep that knows no waking).

Hither is that mountain called Asta which is the cause of the evening twilight, and
which (daily) receiveth the sun lovingly turning towards it. It is from this quarter that
both Night and Sleep, issuing out at the close of day, spread themselves, as if, for
robbing all living creatures of half their allotted periods of life. It was here that
Sakra, beholding (his stepmother) the goddess Diti lying asleep in a state of pregnancy,
cut off the foetus (into forty-nine parts), whence sprang the (forty-nine) Maruts. It is
towards this direction that the roots of Himavat stretch towards the eternal Mandara (sunk
in the ocean). By journeying for even a thousand years one cannot attain to the end of
those roots. It is in this region that Surabhi (the mother of cows), repairing to the
shores of the extensive lake, adorned with golden lotuses, poureth forth her milk.

Here in the midst of the ocean is seen the headless trunk of the illustrious Swarbhanu
(Rahu) who is always bent upon devouring both the sun and the moon. Here is heard the loud
chanting of the Vedas by Suvarnasiras, who is invincible and of immeasurable energy, and
whose hair is eternally green. It is in this region that the daughter of Muni Harimedhas
remained transfixed in the welkin in consequence of Suryas injunction couched in the
words- Stop, Stop. Here, O Galava, wind, and fire, and earth, and water, are all free,
both day and night, from their painful sensations. It is from this region that the
suns course begins to deviate from the straight path, and it is in this direction
that all the luminous bodies (the constellations) enter the solar sphere. And having moved
for twenty-eight nights with the sun, they come out of the suns course to move in
accompaniment with the moon. It is in this region that the rivers, which always feed the
ocean, have their sources. Here, in the abode of Varuna, are the waters of the three
worlds. In this region is situate the abode of Ananta, the prince of snakes. And here is
the unrivalled abode also of Vishnu, who is without beginning and without end. In this
region is also situate the abode of the great Rishi Kasyapa, the son of Maricha. The
western quarter is thus narrated to thee in the course of telling thee of the different
points. Tell me now, O Galava, towards which side, O best of regenerate persons, shall we
go?

Garuda said: O Brahmana, since this quarter saveth from sin, and since one attaineth to
salvation here, it is for this saving (Uttarana) power that it is called Uttara (north).
And, O Galava, because the abode of all the treasures of the north stretches in a line
towards the east and the west, therefore is the north sometimes called the central region
(Madhyama). And, O bull among the twice-born, in this region that is superior to all, none
can live that is unamiable, or of unbridled passions, or unrighteous.

Hither, in the asylum, known by the name of Vadari, eternally dwell Krishna who is
Narayanas self, and Jishnu that most exalted, of all male beings, and Brahma (the
Creator). Hither, on the breast of Himavat (the Himalayas) always dwelleth Maheswara
(Siva) endued with the effulgence of the fire that blazeth up at the end of the Yuga. As
Purusha, he sporteth here with Prakriti (the universal mother). Except by Nara, and
Narayana, he is incapable of being seen by the diverse classes of Munis, the gods with
Vasava at their head, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the Siddhas. Though invested with
Maya, him the eternal Vishnu alone, of a thousand heads and thousand legs, can behold. It
was in this region that Chandramas (the moon) was installed into the sovereignty of the
entire regenerate order.

It was in this region, O thou foremost of all acquainted with Brahma, that Mahadeva
first receiving her on his head, afterwards let (the sacred stream) Ganga (Ganges river)
fall from the heavens to the world of men. It was here that the Goddess (Uma) underwent
her ascetic austerities from her desire of obtaining Maheswara (as her Lord).

It was in this region that Kama, the wrath (of Siva), Himavat, and Uma, all together
shone brilliantly. It was here, on the breast of Kailasa, O Galava, that Kuvera, was
installed on the sovereignty of the Rakshasas, the Yakshas, and the Gandharvas. It is in
this region that (Kuveras gardens called) Chitraratha lie, and it is here that the
asylum of (the Munis called the) Vaikhanasas is situate. It is here, O bull among the
twice born, that the celestial stream called Mandakini, and the mountain Mandara are to be
seen. It is here that the gardens called Saugandhi-kanaka are always guarded by the
Rakshasas. Here are many plains covered with grassy verdure, as also the plantain forest
and those celestial trees called the Sautanakas. It is in this region, O Galava, that the
Siddhas, with souls ever under control and always sporting at will, have their fit abode,
abounding with every object of enjoyment. It is here that the seven Rishis with Arundhati
may be seen.

It is here that the constellations Swati is to be seen and it is here that it first
rises to the view. It is in this region that the Grandsire Brahma dwelleth in the vicinity
of Yajna (sacrifice embodied). It is in this quarter that the sun, the moon, and the other
luminaries are seen to revolve regularly. It is in this region, O foremost of Brahmanas,
that those illustrious and truth-speaking Munis called by the name of Dharma, guard the
source of the Ganga (Ganges). The origin and physical features and ascetic penances of
these Munis are not known to all. The thousand dishes they use for serving the food
offered in hospitality and the edibles also they create at will, are all a mystery. The
man, O Galava, that passeth beyond the point guarded by these Munis, is certain, O
foremost of Brahmanas, to meet with destruction. None else, O bull among Brahmanas, save
the divine Narayana, and the eternal Nara called also Jishnu, succeed in passing beyond
the point so guarded.

It is in this region that the mountains of Kailasa lie, the abode of Ailavila (Kuvera).
It is here that the ten Apsaras known by the name of Vidyutprabha had their origin. In
covering, O Brahmana, the three worlds with three steps in the sacrifice of Vali (the
Asura king), Vishnu had covered this whole northern region; and, accordingly, there is a
spot here called Vishnupada. And it is so called after the footprint of Vishnu caused on
that occasion. Here, in this quarter, at a place called Usiravija, by the side of the
golden lake, king Marutta performed, O foremost of Brahmanas, a sacrifice. It is here that
the brilliant and shining gold mines of Himavat exhibit themselves to the illustrious and
regenerate Rishi Jimuta. And Jimuta gave away the whole of that wealth to the Brahmanas.
And having given it away, that great Rishi solicited them to call it after his own name.
And hence that wealth is known by the name of the Jaimuta gold. Here, in this region, O
bull among Bharatas, the regents of the worlds, O Galava, every morning and evening,
proclaim, What business of what person shall we do? It is for these, O
foremost of Brahmanas, and other incidents, that the northern region is superior to all
quarters. And because this region is superior (uttara) to all, therefore, it is called the
north (uttara). The four regions have thus, O sire, been, one after another described to
thee in details. Towards which quarter then dost thou desire to go? I am ready, O foremost
of Brahmanas, to show thee all the quarters of the earth!
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